Bucks &amp; Oxon

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trails-and-markets">TRAILS AND MARKETS </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="690" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/5-Christmas-at-Waddesdon-2022-Manor-Illuminations-©-Waddesdon-A-Rothschild-House-Gardens.-Photo-Peter-Greenway.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-151978" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/5-Christmas-at-Waddesdon-2022-Manor-Illuminations-©-Waddesdon-A-Rothschild-House-Gardens.-Photo-Peter-Greenway.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/5-Christmas-at-Waddesdon-2022-Manor-Illuminations-©-Waddesdon-A-Rothschild-House-Gardens.-Photo-Peter-Greenway-800x552.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/5-Christmas-at-Waddesdon-2022-Manor-Illuminations-©-Waddesdon-A-Rothschild-House-Gardens.-Photo-Peter-Greenway-400x276.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/5-Christmas-at-Waddesdon-2022-Manor-Illuminations-©-Waddesdon-A-Rothschild-House-Gardens.-Photo-Peter-Greenway-761x525.jpg 761w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Let there be light! There are two glorious trails in our &#8216;hood running until the New Year. Head to Aylesbury and marvel at <a href="https://waddesdon.org.uk/whats-on/christmas/">Waddesdon Manor</a>’s spectacular landscape and magnificent trees brought to life with a kaleidoscope of colour, lights and music, or zip across to <a href="https://www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/christmas/">Blenheim Palace</a> with its lasers, tunnels of light through the trees and dancing reflections on the lakes. And on top of all this splendour, enjoy the story of&nbsp;Sleeping Beauty&nbsp;re-imagined within the Palace’s rooms if you go for the house and grounds ticket. 



In terms of markets, <a href="https://lsdpromotions.com/oxford-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oxford City</a>‘s free fair is one of the last festive markets still standing (until&nbsp;Sat 23 Dec). Lining Broad Street, bang in the stunning centre of the city, with carol-singing, gifts, and plenty of mulled wine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-skating">ICE SKATING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/ice-skates-hanging-on-sledge-with-fairy-lights-pexels.jpg-.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-151730" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/ice-skates-hanging-on-sledge-with-fairy-lights-pexels.jpg-.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/ice-skates-hanging-on-sledge-with-fairy-lights-pexels.jpg--800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/ice-skates-hanging-on-sledge-with-fairy-lights-pexels.jpg--1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/ice-skates-hanging-on-sledge-with-fairy-lights-pexels.jpg--400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/ice-skates-hanging-on-sledge-with-fairy-lights-pexels.jpg--788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Fancy showing off your pirouette? Slide across to the 400m sq rink popping up alongside <a href="https://www.iceleisure.co.uk/willenonice">Willen Lake </a>in Milton Keynes (but under a festively decorated marquee). It&#8217;s one of the best value rinks around, from £6.95 per skate off-peak, open until Sun 7 Jan. There&#8217;s also a bijoux skate rink at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BicesterAvenueGC">Bicester Avenue</a> with a capacity of 40 skaters. You’ll get skates included and skate aids are free, first-come, first-served for each 45-minute session. Tickets start from £7.&nbsp;Open until Sun 7 Jan. Finally, the home of our local ice hockey and figure skating clubs, <a href="http://www.oxfordicerink.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR1h_dJcwdGZICqvoq1km4SQS9B3XixPgVDvFnvPZd6iuKq0xOWLpp1FW50">Oxford Ice Rink</a> is the place to get help from the pros, sign up to the skate school, Saturday night skate disco or one of the festive skates. Keep an eye on the FB page for latest events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-father-christmas">MEET FATHER CHRISTMAS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/Santas-Grotto-sign-Shutterstock.jpg" alt="santas grotto" class="wp-image-152933" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/Santas-Grotto-sign-Shutterstock.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/Santas-Grotto-sign-Shutterstock-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/Santas-Grotto-sign-Shutterstock-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/Santas-Grotto-sign-Shutterstock-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Not long til the man in red wiggles down the chimney, but if you can&#8217;t stomach the wait we know exactly where he&#8217;ll be popping up. Meet-and-greet him at&nbsp;<a href="https://hogshawfarm.co.uk/farmer-christmas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hogshaw Farm</a>‘s gorgeous wintery wonderland with elves, bauble designing, gingerbread decorating, mulled wine for the adults, Father Christmas on his signature red tractor – and of course an early pressie. To top it all off, full access to the farm, play areas and all its nativity scene animals.&nbsp;Until&nbsp;Sun 24 Dec.



A winner for train (and Santa) fans.&nbsp;<a href="https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/product.php/135/steam-into-christmas-and-help-santa-find-his-missing-reindeer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The&nbsp;Didcot Railway Centre</a>‘s challenge is to find Santa’s lost reindeers and get them back in time to deliver all the presents – there’s a special gift waiting at every reindeer station. Grab a mince pie, hot chocolate and meet the Big Guy in his giant toy workshop (more gifts to choose from here) before returning back.&nbsp;Open every weekend&nbsp;until Sat 23 Dec.&nbsp;



Finally, try something new at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.yarntonhomegarden.co.uk/department/santas-magical-christmas-photo-experience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yarnton Garden Centre</a>‘s festive photo experience. Open every weekend from now until Christmas Eve revel in its Christmassy makeover and then pose for a family photo with the big man himself (plus a whole load of Christmas shopping opportunities of garden goodies, homeware, clothes, deli and gifts).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watch">WATCH </h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-on-stage">ON STAGE </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Creation-Theatre-A-Christmas-Carol-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154104" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Creation-Theatre-A-Christmas-Carol-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Creation-Theatre-A-Christmas-Carol-2-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Creation-Theatre-A-Christmas-Carol-2-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Creation-Theatre-A-Christmas-Carol-2-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Fan the festive flame with Dickens’ classic&nbsp;<a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/review-a-christmas-carol-north-wall-oxford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Christmas Carol</a>&nbsp;at&nbsp;The North Wall&nbsp;in Oxford. In this version (until Wed 6 Jan), Creation Theatre revamps its superb 2017 rendition with promise of an unforgettable Fezziwig party. <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/review-a-christmas-carol-north-wall-oxford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read the Muddy review here.</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1064" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/AWT-Snow-White-23-Prince-and-Queen-Grimelda.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-153718" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/AWT-Snow-White-23-Prince-and-Queen-Grimelda.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/AWT-Snow-White-23-Prince-and-Queen-Grimelda-800x567.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/AWT-Snow-White-23-Prince-and-Queen-Grimelda-1000x709.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/AWT-Snow-White-23-Prince-and-Queen-Grimelda-400x284.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/AWT-Snow-White-23-Prince-and-Queen-Grimelda-740x525.jpg 740w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Plenty of pantos to catch before and after Christmas. Don’t miss former&nbsp;Eastender&nbsp;and&nbsp;Strictly&nbsp;star James Bye in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs/aylesbury-waterside-theatre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs</a>&nbsp;at&nbsp;Aylesbury Waterside Theatre&nbsp;(until Wed 3 Jan), or loads of fe-fi-fo-fun in&nbsp;<a href="https://kentontheatre.co.uk/event/jack-and-the-beanstalk-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jack and the Beanstalk</a>&nbsp;at Henley’s&nbsp;Kenton Theatre, (until Sun 31 Dec) and La Voix hopping over to&nbsp;Wycombe Swan&nbsp;for a turn in&nbsp;<a href="https://wycombeswan.co.uk/Online/panto-wycombe-buckinghamshire-pantomime" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beauty and the Beast</a>, (until Sun 31 Dec).&nbsp;<a style="font-style: italic;font-weight: bold" href="https://www.chippingnortontheatre.com/events/cinderella" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cinderella</a>&nbsp;(until Sun 14 Jan) gets a Latin American makeover as&nbsp;Chipping Norton Theatre&nbsp;brings the classic glass slipper tale to the cheery carnival-loving imaginary small town of Santa Maria de las Orejas de Soplillo. If you prefer by-the-book Cinders, try Brian Conley’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/cinderella/milton-keynes-theatre/https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/cinderella/milton-keynes-theatre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cinderella</a>&nbsp;at&nbsp;MK Theatre&nbsp;(until&nbsp;Sun 14 Jan).&nbsp;



Lastly, if you&#8217;re all tinselled out, catch the based-on-a-true-story teenage tale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/everybodys-talking-about-jamie/new-theatre-oxford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Everybody’s Talking About Jamie</a>&nbsp;at New Theatre Oxford (until Sat 30 Dec). 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0254_RT2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-153925" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0254_RT2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0254_RT2-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0254_RT2-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0254_RT2-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



It follows an all too familiar coming-of-age story about the troubles of trying to fit in and slow journey to self-acceptance – brilliantly underscored by fabulous dance numbers and drag-tastic costumes.&nbsp;<a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/review-everybodys-talking-about-jamie-oxford-new-theatre/">Read the Muddy review here</a>. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-cinemas">IN CINEMAS </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/warm-and-cozy-1975215_1280.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154140" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/warm-and-cozy-1975215_1280.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/warm-and-cozy-1975215_1280-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/warm-and-cozy-1975215_1280-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/warm-and-cozy-1975215_1280-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Festive films are top of the agenda this month and where better to watch them than a movie theatre? Die Hard (is it a Christmas movie or not? Muddy says YES!) is in selected cinemas, including <a href="https://www.picturehouses.com/movie-details/000/HO00013913/elf-20th-anniversary">Phoenix Picturehouse</a>, in Oxford on Fri 22 Dec. Or you can catch it at <a href="https://www.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/high-wycombe/073#/buy-tickets-by-cinema?in-cinema=073&amp;at=2023-12-22&amp;view-mode=list">Cineworld</a> in High Wycombe. 



Another barely christmassy film, Greta Gerwig’s star-studded (Florence Pugh, Timothée Chalamet&nbsp;and&nbsp;Saoirse Ronan)&nbsp;Little Women&nbsp;packs enough festive fever to quench your Christmassy spirit without being sickly sweet. You can catch it this on Tue 26 Dec at <a href="https://www.curzon.com/films/little-women/HO00004942/">Curzon Cinema</a> in Oxford. Meanwhile Elf is brimming with heart and soul that cherishes festive cheer. There&#8217;s a selection of screenings at <a href="https://www.everymancinema.com/film-listing/">Everyman</a> <a href="https://www.everymancinema.com/film-listing/">Cinema</a> in Gerrards Cross and <a href="https://www.everymancinema.com">Marlow</a>, plus <a href="https://www.odeon.co.uk/cinemas/oxford-george-st/">Odeon </a>in Oxford. 



<a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/this-month/things-to-do-buckinghamshire-oxfordshire-near-me-december/">See our full guide to what’s on in December&nbsp;here</a>.

Five sleeps! Things to do in Bucks and Oxon over the next week

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